Novel Fabric Mending Device And Methods Of Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for mending an article of fabric by placement of a barbed thread across an area to be mended, such that the barbs engage the fibers of the fabric forming a secure closure.#

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 63/300,754, filed Jan. 19, 2022. The entirespecification and figures of the above-referenced application is herebyincorporated in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to systems, methods, and devicesfor repairing or mending articles of fabric. In particular, theinvention relates to a device for mending an article of fabric byplacement of a barbed thread across an area to be mended, such that thebarbs engage the fibers of the fabric forming a secure closure.

BACKGROUND

Articles of fabric, such as clothing and other personal garments aresusceptible to excessive wear and tearing during use. In particular,items of clothing used for outdoor activities are exposed to ruggedenvironments that can result in worn openings and/or tears in theclothing or gear fabric. In addition, articles of clothing, such assocks and other undergarments are subject to increased friction andpressure. As a result, torn fabric must then be repaired in order topreserve the garment or other article constructed from a mendablefabric.

Ordinarily, repairing the fabric is accomplished by stitching the tearclosed with a needle and thread, preferably with the use of a sewingmachine. Alternatively, the worn opening or tear can be repaired with apatch that attaches to the clothing fabric and covers the damaged area.However, many individuals do not, or may not have easy access to asewing machine or are not proficient in sewing techniques to be able torepair their own articles of clothing or other fabric items. Moreover,patches often do not match the color and pattern of the fabric to reducevisibility of the patch when attached to the damaged portion.

Presently, the attachment of a repair patch to a garment or other fabricarticle is accomplished by either stitching with a needle and thread orby hot melt adhesion using an electric iron. Stitching the patch to thefabric is labor intensive and is best accomplished with the use of anelectric sewing machine as noted above. Due to the need for specialskills and electric equipment, neither the stitching method nor the hotmelt adhesion method is suited for repairs performed in remotelocations, or by an untrained user. Instead, the torn garment or gearmust be taken to a tailor, seamstress or other skilled professional forrepair. The inability to repair the damaged garment or other article offabric using a simple compact device is inconvenient, potentiallycostly, and may result in further damage to the garment.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a simple device that can repairtears and openings in the fabric of a garment or other articles offabric, or alternatively mend two or more articles of fabric togetherforming a secure attachment without the need for special equipment,electric power, or unique skills.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a simple, compact, andeasy-to-carry fabric mending device that can quickly repair tears inarticles of fabric, such as clothing and other garments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, compact,and easy-to-carry fabric mending device that can quickly mend two ormore article of fabric together. As used herein, the term “fabric”generally refer to cloth or other material produced by weaving togethernatural or synthetic fibers such as cotton, nylon, wool, silk, or otherthreads. As used herein, the term “article of fabric,” refers to anyarticle, or thing that includes at least some portion of fabric, such asclothes, bags, curtains, sheets and the like.

In a preferred aspect, the invention may include a fabric mending deviceconfigured to position a flexible thread having a plurality of barbsacross an area to be mended, such as a rip or tear in a garment, suchthat the barbs of the thread engage with the fabric and generate asecure closure of the area.

In another preferred aspect, the invention may include a fabric mendingdevice configured to position a flexible thread having a plurality ofbarbs across an area to be mended, such as a rip or tear in a garment,using a needle having a hollow channel. In this aspect, the bardedthread may be positioned within the hollow channel of the needle whichcan be used to penetrate the area to be mended on the article of fabricwhile protecting the barbs from prematurely engaging the fibers of thefabric until it had been adequately positioned.

In another preferred aspect, the invention may include a fabric mendingdevice having a cap configured to secure a needle and barbed thread. Inthis aspect, the barded thread may be positioned within the hollowchannel of the needle with a portion extending beyond the proximal endof the needle such that when secured to the cap the thread isindependently secured in place such that it cannot be displaced from thehollow chamber of the needle until the cap is disengaged.

In another preferred aspect, the invention may include a fabric mendingdevice configured to position a flexible thread having a plurality ofbarbs across an area to be mended, such as a rip or tear in a garment,using a flexible tube having a hollow channel. In this aspect, thebarded thread may be positioned within the hollow channel of theflexible tube which can be used to penetrate the area to be mended onthe article of fabric while protecting the barbs from prematurelyengaging the fibers of the fabric until it had been adequatelypositioned.

In another preferred aspect, the invention may include a fabric mendingdevice having a cap configured to secure the flexible tube and barbedthread. In this aspect, the barded thread may be positioned within thehollow channel of the flexible tube with a portion extending beyond theproximal end of the flexible tube such that when secured to the cap thethread is independently secured in place such that it cannot bedisplaced from the hollow chamber of the flexible tube until the cap isdisengaged.

Additional aspects of the invention will become apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art based on the description, figures, and claimsprovided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 : shows a disarticulated fabric repair device of the inventionhaving a length of barbed thread, a needle having a hollow channel, anda cap in one embodiment thereof;

FIG. 2 : shows a cross-sectional view fabric repair device of theinvention having a length of barbed thread positioned within the hollowchannel of a needle, the proximal ends of both being secured by a cap inone embodiment thereof;

FIG. 3A: shows a length of thread having a plurality ofcircumferentially arranged barbs in one embodiment thereof;

FIG. 3B: shows an alternative length of thread having a midlineseparating proximal and distal barbed sections having opposing bilateralbarbs as well as unbarbed proximal and distal ends in one embodimentthereof;

FIG. 3C: shows a horizontal cross sectional view of a length of threadhaving a plurality of circumferentially arranged barbs in one embodimentthereof;

FIG. 4 : shows a disarticulated fabric repair device of the inventionhaving a length of barbed thread, a needle having a hollow channel, anda cap in one embodiment thereof;

FIG. 5 : shows a disarticulated fabric repair device of the inventionhaving a length of barbed thread, a flexible tube having a hollowchannel, and a cap in one embodiment thereof; and

FIGS. 6A-C: show the multi-step operation of the fabric mending deviceof the invention repairing an exemplary tear in an article of fabric inone embodiment thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes a fabric mending device (1) configured toposition a flexible thread (9) having a plurality of barbs (11) acrossan area to be mended, such as a rip or tear in a garment or otherarticle of fabric (14), such that the barbs (11) of the thread (9)engage with the fabric (14) and generate a secure closure of the area.It should be noted that the terms “mending” and “repair” may be usedinterchangeable and may include the mending or repairing a damagedportion of an article of fabric (14), such as a tear or hole generatedfrom use, as well as attaching two or more articles of fabric togetherusing the fabric mending device (1) of the invention.

The fabric mending device (1) of the invention may include a needle (5)configured to secure and position a thread (9) having a plurality ofbarbs (11) within an article of fabric (14) at area to be mendedgenerating a secure closure. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the needle (5) of the invention may include a hollow channel (6)having an opening on the proximal end (8 a). In this embodiment, thedistal end (8 b) of the needle may preferably be closed to prevent theegress of the barbed thread (9) during use of the device, as well as tobetter facilitate penetration of the fabric (14) to be mended as furtherdescribed below.

The length of the needle (5) of the invention can be variable. Forexample, the needle (5) may partially or fully span at least the area tobe mended on the article of fabric (14). Moreover, the gauge of theneedle (5) may be different depending on the type of fabric or othermaterial to be mended or repaired, with a larger gauge being used topenetrate articles of fabric (14) that are substantially permeable,while smaller gauge needles may be implemented for articles of fabric(14) that are resistant to penetration by the needle (5). Notably, whilethe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2 shows the use of a metal needle (5), avariety of suitable materials may be implemented with the currentinvention. For example, the needle (5) of the invention may be made froma rigid plastic, while in alternative embodiments, the needle (5) may bemade from a substantially pliable material forming a flexible tube (13)having a hollow channel (6) configured to secure and position a thread(9) having a plurality of barbs (11) within an article of fabric (14).

Referring again to FIGS. 1-2 , a needle (5) of the invention may furtherinclude a proximal end (8 a) and a distal end (8 b). In this preferredembodiment, the proximal end (8 a) of the needle (5) may include aplanar surface forming an opening to a hollow channel (6). As furtherdescribed below, the proximal end (8 a) of the needle (5) may include aslot (not shown) configured to secure the barbed thread (9) andfacilitate its securement in the cap (2) of the invention. Again, inthis preferred embodiment, the distal end (8 b) of the needle (5) mayinclude a tapered end (7), having a closed configuration, configured toallow easier penetration of fabric (14) and other materials by theneedle (5).

The fabric mending device (1) of the invention may include a thread (9),which may further include a plurality of barbs (11) configured to graspand engage the fibers of an article of fabric (14), or other materialand secure the portions of the article to be mended together forming asecure closure. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-C, thethread (9) of the invention may include a plurality of barbs (11) thatmay be further positioned in an aligned, or offset position around thecircumference of the thread (9).

The thread (9) of the invention may include a plurality of distinctregions that enhance the engagement of the barbs (3) with the subjectfabric (14). For example, in one preferred embodiment, the thread (9) ofthe invention may include a proximal barbed section (10 a) and a distalbarbed section (10 b) separated at a mid-line (12). As specificallyshown in FIG. 3A, the barbs of the barbs of the proximal barbed section(10 a) and a distal barbed section (10 b) are oriented in an opposingbilateral configuration. When positioned within an article of fabric(14) to be mended as detailed below, the movement of the fabric (14),such as by stretching, allows the opposing barbs (11) to engage thefibers of the fabric (14) generating an opposing force against oneanother. As a result, movement of fabric (14), such as when worn by auser, causes the barbs (9) of the thread (9) to engage even moresecurely with the fabric thereby strengthening the closure of the mendedarea.

The thread (9) of the invention may further include one or more unbarbedregions. Again, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, theproximal end and distal ends (15, 16) may lack barbs such that thethread (9) does not engage with the fibers of the article of fabric (14)to be mended. As shown in FIG. 3A, the unbarbed sections may includedifferent lengths, such that in a preferred embodiment, the distal endof the thread (16) may include a shorter unbarbed region than that ofthe proximal end (15). As detailed below, in this configuration, theunbarbed regions may allow for a user to grasp the proximal or distalends (15, 16) of the thread (9) more easily once it has been positionedwithin an area to be mended on fabric (14).

The thread (9) of the invention may be variable in length, width, aswell as number and placement of barbs (11) and barbed sections (10 a, 10b). For example, the thread (9) may partially or fully span at least thearea to be mended on the article of fabric (14), and more preferably thebarbed sections (10 a, 10 b) of the thread (9) may partially or fullyspan at least the area to be mended in the article of fabric (14) suchthat the barbed section (10 a, 10 b) are fully-engaged with the fabric(14) across the entire span of the tear or gap to be mended in thefabric (14).

Moreover, the gauge of the thread (9) may be different depending on thetype of fabric or other materials to be mended or repaired, with alarger gauge being used to penetrate and secure articles of fabric (14)that are resistant to engagement with the barbs (11), or are heavier andless playable, while smaller gauge thread (9) may be implemented forarticles of fabric (14) that are fibrous such that individual barbs (11)may more readily engage with the individual fibers of the fabric (14).Moreover, the length, gauge, and size of the barbs (11) can be adjustedto account for different applications and materials, such that a user’sskin does not come into repetitive contact with the barbed thread (9). Avariety of suitable materials may be implemented with the barbed thread(9) of the current invention. In a preferred example, the thread (9) ofthe invention may be made from a flexible monofilament material having aplurality of barbs (11) as described above.

The fabric mending device (1) of the invention may include a cap (2)configured to secure a needle (5) and thread (9). In the preferredembodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the cap (2) of the invention may include anaperture (4) to receive and secure the proximal end of the needle (5).In this embodiment, the aperture (4) may be smaller than the diameter ofthe needle (5) and may further be made from a pliable material such as,plastic, rubber, or form. In this configuration, the aperture (4)generates a compressive force to secure the needle (5) to the cap (2).

As further shown in FIG. 2 , the thread of the invention may bepositioned inside the hollow channel (6) of the needle (5) while aportion of the proximal end of the thread (15) extends beyond theproximal end (8 a) of the needle (5). When positioned within theaperture as shown in FIG. 2 , the compressive force of the aperture (4)of the cap (2) independently secures the thread (9) such that it remainswithin the hollow channel (6) of the needle (5) during use. As detailedbelow, the needle (5) may be independently removed from the cap (2) andwithdrawn exposing the length of the barbed thread (9), while thecompressive force of the cap (2) retains the thread (9), and preferablythe unbarbed regions of the proximal end of the thread (15) secured inthe aperture (4). In this manner, the cap (2) of the invention may bedisengaged from the thread (9) without engagement of the barbs (11) withthe cap (2) in one embodiment. In alternative embodiments, the cap (2)of the invention may secure a needle (5) and barbed thread (9)positioned within the hollow channel (6) though a coupler. In thisembodiment, a coupler may secure the needle (5) and thread (9), andpreferably the unbarbed proximal end of the thread (9) within theinternal compartment of the cap (2). The coupler may be disengaged toallow the independent withdrawal of the needle (5) while maintaining itscoupling to the thread (9). The coupler may further be engaged toindependently allow removal of the secured thread (9). In thisembodiment, the coupler of the invention may be selected from the groupconsisting of a quick coupler, a twist coupler, a snap coupler, aspring-loaded coupler, a compression coupler, or a combination of thesame.

The invention may include methods of mending an article of fabric (14)using the fabric repair device (1) as described herein. As generallyshown in FIGS. 6A-C, a user may insert a thread (9) having a pluralityof barbs into the hollow channel (6) of a needle (5) or alternatively aflexible tube (13), while a portion of the proximal end of the thread(15) may extend beyond the proximal end of the needle (8 a). The needle(5) may be secured to a cap (2) by inserting it into an aperture (4) orby another coupler mechanism such that the extended proximal end of thethread (15) is secured within the internal compartment (3) of the cap(2) as shown in FIG. 2 .

The needle (5) may be used to penetrate, preferably in a circular sewingmotion, an article of fabric (14) such that the needle (5) is interwovenalong the length of the portion of fabric (14) to be mended. Whilepreferably grasping the cap (2), which may also serve as a handle tohelp facilitate the mending action of the needle (5), the user canremove the needle (5) by grasping the distal end (8 a) and decoupling itfrom the cap (2) thereby exposing the barbed thread (9). The barbedthread (9), now being positioned so as to be interwoven along the lengthof the portion of fabric (14) to be mended, may engage with the threadsof the fabric (14) forming a secure closure.

The cap (2) may further be disengaged from the barbed thread (9) leavingthe proximal and distal ends of the thread (15, 16) extending beyond thearea to be mended on the article of fabric (14). The sewing action ofthe needle (5) may cause the fabric of the area to be mended to beconstructed. In this embodiment, a user may pull the ends of the fabric(14) of the area to be mended along the length of the positioned thread(9) causing the barbs (11) to engage with the fabric (14) of the area tobe mended forming a secure mended closure. Finally, the proximal anddistal ends (15,16) of the barbed thread (9) may be removed, such as byclipping with scissors or other similar implement, leaving the thread(9) in place with the barbs (11) engaged with the fabric (14).

Naturally, all embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative andshould not be construed to limit the scope of the inventive technologyconsistent with the broader inventive principles disclosed. As may beeasily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the presentinventive technology may be embodied in a variety of ways. It generallyinvolves systems, methods, techniques as well as devices to accomplish afabric mending device and the like. In this application, the methods andapparatus for the aforementioned systems are disclosed as part of theresults shown to be achieved by the various devices described and assteps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the naturalresults of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition,while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these notonly accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number ofways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facetsshould be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by thestatements of invention. As can be easily understood from the foregoing,the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a varietyof ways. It involves both techniques as well as devices to accomplishthe appropriate system. In this application, the techniques aredisclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the variousdevices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. Theyare simply the natural results of utilizing the devices as intended anddescribed. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should beunderstood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also canbe varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing,all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by thisdisclosure.

The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as abasic description. The reader should be aware that the specificdiscussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; manyalternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the genericnature of the invention and may not explicitly show how each feature orelement can actually be representative of a broader function or of agreat variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these areimplicitly included in this disclosure. Where the invention may bedescribed in some instances in method-oriented terminology, each elementof the claims corresponds to a device and vice versa. Apparatus claimsmay not only be included for the device described, but also method orprocess claims may be included to address the functions the inventionand each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminologyis intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included inany subsequent patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be madewithout departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes arealso implicitly included in the description. They still fall within thescope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing the explicitembodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternativeembodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like areencompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting anyclaims. It should be understood that such language changes and broaderor more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date (such asby any required deadline) or in the event the applicant subsequentlyseeks a patent filing based on this filing. With this understanding, thereader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood tosupport any subsequently filed patent application that may seekexamination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within theapplicant’s right and may be designed to yield a patent coveringnumerous aspects of the invention both independently and as an overallsystem.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims mayalso be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used orimplied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual aswell as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected.This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation,be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a methodor process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element ofthese. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosurerelates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may beexpressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms – even if onlythe function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or evenmore generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in thedescription of each element or action. Such terms can be substitutedwhere desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to whichthis invention is entitled. As but one example, it should be understoodthat all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action oras an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical elementdisclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the actionwhich that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, asbut one example, the disclosure of a “cap” should be understood toencompass disclosure of the act of “capping” – whether explicitlydiscussed or not – and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure ofthe act of “capping”, such a disclosure should be understood toencompass disclosure of a “capping method and/or technique, and/ordevice.” Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to beexplicitly included in the description.

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim andmake a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the methods and/orapparatus for providing a fabric mending device as herein disclosed anddescribed, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii)similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of thesedevices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish eachof the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) thosealternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functionsshown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed anddescribed, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate andindependent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the varioussystems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products producedby such systems or components, ix) each system, method, and elementshown or described as now applied to any specific field or devicesmentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as describedhereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi)the various combinations and permutations of each of the elementsdisclosed, xii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as adependency on each and every one of the independent claims or conceptspresented, and xiii) all inventions described herein.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, itshould be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid greatexpansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any timepresent only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with onlyinitial dependencies. The office and any third person interested inpotential scope of this or subsequent applications should understandthat broader claims may be presented at a later date in this case, in acase claiming the benefit of this case, or in any continuation in spiteof any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, orarguments presented, thus throughout the pendency of any case there isno intention to disclaim or surrender any potential subject matter. Itshould be understood that if or when broader claims are presented, suchmay require that any relevant prior art that may have been considered atany prior time may need to be re-visited since it is possible that tothe extent any amendments, claim language, or arguments presented inthis or any subsequent application are considered as made to avoid suchprior art, such reasons may be eliminated by later presented claims orthe like. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested inexisting or later potential coverage or considering if there has at anytime been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender ofpotential coverage, should be aware that no such surrender or disclaimeris ever intended or ever exists in this or any subsequent applications.Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, PLC, 479 F.3d1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this orany subsequent related matter. In addition, support should be understoodto exist to the degree required under new matter laws –including but notlimited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United StatesPatent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws– to permit the addition of anyof the various dependencies or other elements presented under oneindependent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any otherindependent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whetherin this application or in any subsequent applications, it should also beunderstood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broada scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent thatinsubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant didnot in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particularembodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant shouldnot be understood to have in any way intended to or actuallyrelinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have beenable to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should notbe reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literallyencompassed such alternative embodiments.

Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase“comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, accordingto traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requiresotherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” orvariations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to implythe inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or stepsbut not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elementsor steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive formso as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.It should be understood that this application also provides support forany combination of elements in the claims and even incorporates anydesired proper antecedent basis for certain claim combinations such aswith combinations of method, apparatus, process, and the like claims.

Any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference aspart of this description of the invention, and the applicant expresslyreserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporatedcontent of such claims as additional description to support any of orall of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicantfurther expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all ofthe incorporated content of such claims or any element or componentthereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessaryto define the matter for which protection is sought by this applicationor by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-partapplication thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in feespursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations ofany country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shallsurvive during the entire pendency of this application including anysubsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part applicationthereof or any reissue or extension thereon. The inventive subjectmatter is to include, but certainly not be limited as, a systemsubstantially as herein described with reference to any one or more ofthe Figures and Description (including the following: for example, theprocess according to any claims and further comprising any of the stepsas shown in any Figures, separately, in any combination or permutation).

1. A fabric mending device comprising: – a needle having a hollowchannel; – a cap having an aperture to receive the proximal end of saidneedle; and – a length of thread having a plurality of barbs positionedwith said hollow channel, and wherein the terminal end of said thread issecured within the internal compartment of said cap such that saidneedle is separable from said cap and said thread.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the distal end of said needle comprises a tapered end.3. The device of claim 1, wherein said thread comprises a thread havinga plurality of barbs.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein said barbscomprises a plurality of barbs positioned around the circumference ofsaid thread.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said thread includes amidline.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said midline separates aproximal barbed section and a distal barbed section.
 7. The device ofclaim 6, wherein said the barbs of said proximal barbed section and adistal barbed section are oriented in an opposing configuration.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said proximal end of said thread is unbarbed,and/or said distal end of said thread is unbarbed.
 9. (canceled)
 10. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said needle is secured in said cap by acoupler.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein said needle comprises aflexible needle having a hollow channel.
 12. (canceled)
 13. A fabricmending device comprising: – a flexible tube having a hollow channel; –a cap having an aperture to receive the proximal end of said flexibletube; and – a length of thread having a plurality of barbs positionedwith said hollow channel, and wherein the terminal end of said thread issecured within the internal compartment of said cap such that saidflexible tube is separable from said cap and said thread.
 14. The deviceof claim 13, wherein the distal end of said flexible tube comprises atapered end.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein said thread comprises athread having a plurality of barbs.
 16. The device of claim 13, whereinsaid barbs comprises a plurality of barbs positioned around thecircumference of said thread.
 17. The device of claim 13, wherein saidthread includes a midline.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein saidmidline separates a proximal barbed section and a distal barbed section.19. The device of claim 18, wherein said the barbs of said proximalbarbed section and a distal barbed section are oriented in an opposingconfiguration.
 20. The device of claim 13, wherein said proximal end ofsaid thread is unbarbed, and/or said distal end of said thread isunbarbed.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The device of claim 13, wherein saidflexible tube is secured in said cap by a coupler.
 23. The device ofclaim 13, wherein said cap comprises a cap selected from the groupconsisting of: a plastic cap, a rubber cap, a foam cap, or a combinationof the same. 24-49. (canceled)